Both Star Wars live-action trilogies are complete, but there are still stories to be told in the Star Wars universe. George Lucas skimmed over the most tantalizing bit mentioned in the original film - the Clone Wars - while following Anakin’s descent into Darth Vader. “Episode II - Attack of the Clones” gave audiences the beginning of the conflict while “Episode III - Revenge of the Sith” showed us the Emperor’s seizure of ultimate power in the Republic, to end the very war he set into motion. This animated film is set in the middle of the galaxies intergalactic crisis, exposing audiences firsthand to the clone battles, Jedi tactics, and machinations of the Sith. For fans of the series, children of both ages, and animation enthusiasts - this “seventh” Star Wars movie provides all the action and excitement this series has been known to offer.
Anakin Skywalker has grown into a full-fledged Jedi Knight and war hero, fighting alongside his friend and former mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi. During an intense battle to control a world in the Outer Rim, a young apprentice is sent to deliver a message to the Republic’s most dependable jedi commanders. Jabba the Hutt - a crime lord - has had his son kidnapped by unknown assailants and is requesting the help of the Jedi. Helping Jabba could be the key to an alliance with the Hutts, which may shift the Clone War in the Republic’s favor. The apprentice - a youngling girl named Ahsoka - has been unexpectedly assigned to Anakin by Jedi Master Yoda. Will Anakin embrace this new responsibility, while the galaxy’s heroes unravel the kidnapping plot and save the young Huttling?
The voice work and sound effects are exceptional in this new Star Wars entry, living up to the live action films. Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee, and Anthony Daniels all return to voice their characters, while talented voice actors fill in the others. The animation is somewhat stylized - in a nod to Tartakovsky’s interpretation in his Clone Wars mini-series - which you’ll soon forget while watching the action unfold. The computer animated characters occasionally move a bit stiffly, but you can hardly tell because they are in the midst of battle most of the time. This kink will likely be worked out as the story moves to Cartoon Network in the fall, turning into a weekly television series.
The movie is heavy on action and battles while short on the love story and political manipulations which some critics say hampered the first two prequel films. As a movie primarily set on the battlefield, it does a good job of capturing the intensity of combat in the Star Wars universe. In the midst of the action, there are moments of levity between the new master-padawan, as Ahsoka proves as willful as Anakin was. There is also some humor at the expense of the battle droids, highlighting their inability for independent thought. Overall, a stunning achievement for George Lucas’ team, as Star Wars makes the transition to animation almost seamlessly.
Rated PG for sci-fi action violence throughout, brief language
